Patent US6065158A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6065158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Impact indicator for athletic helmets
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1998-10-27
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Granted: 2000-05-23
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Expires: 2018-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A helmet includes an outer shell and an inner liner. The inner liner includes a visual indicator to indicate when the helmet has experienced an impact of sufficient force to permanently deform a portion of the inner liner. The visual indicator thus indicates when the helmet no longer offers it's peak level of protection to the wearer and should be repaired or replaced.
Inventors
- 👤 Gus A. Rush, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:51
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/06; A42B3/067; A42B3/0406; A42B3/0433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A helmet, comprising: an outer shell; and an inner liner attached to an interior of the outer shell, wherein the inner liner comprises compressible material and includes a portion that will leave a visible indicator upon an impact to the helmet which exceeds a predetermined level, and wherein the inner liner includes a plurality of layers and a second layer of the plurality of layers will permanently deform upon the impact to the helmet that exceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A helmet, comprising: an outer shell; and an inner liner attached to an interior of the outer shell, wherein the inner liner comprises compressible material and includes a portion that will leave a visible indicator upon an impact to the helmet which exceeds a predetermined level, and wherein the inner liner includes a plurality of layers and a second layer of the plurality of layers will permanently deform upon the impact to the helmet that exceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A helmet as in claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of layers are constructed to have different levels of compressibility.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A helmet as in claim 2, wherein a first layer of the plurality of layers will return to a generally undeformed condition after an impact to the helmet results in deformation of the layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A helmet as in claim 3, wherein the second layer is constructed of a foamed material, foamed with a colored substance such that upon encountering the impact above the predetermined level, foam cells containing the colored substance burst, leaving a visual color indicator of the impact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A helmet as in claim 4, wherein the colored substance is a colored gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A helmet as in claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the inner liner is replaceable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A helmet as in claim 6, wherein the inner liner is constructed of separate segments that are separately replaceable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A helmet as in claim 1, wherein the second layer is constructed of a foamed material, foamed with a colored substance such that upon encountering the impact above the predetermined level, foam cells containing the colored substance burst, leaving a visual color indicator of the impact.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A helmet as in claim 8, wherein the colored substance is a colored gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A helmet as in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the inner liner is replaceable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A helmet as in claim 10, wherein the inner liner is constructed of separate segments that are separately replaceable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
A helmet, comprising: an outer shell; and an inner liner attached to an interior of the outer shell, wherein the inner liner comprises compressible material and includes a portion that will leave a visible indicator upon an impact to the helmet which exceeds a predetermined level, wherein the portion of the liner leaving the visual indicator is constructed of a foamed material, foamed with a colored substance such that upon encountering the impact above the predetermined level, foam cells in the foamed material containing the colored substance burst, leaving a visual color indicator of the impact.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
A helmet, comprising: an outer shell; and an inner liner attached to an interior of the outer shell, wherein the inner liner comprises compressible material and includes a portion that will leave a visible indicator upon an impact to the helmet which exceeds a predetermined level, wherein the portion of the liner leaving the visual indicator is constructed of a foamed material, foamed with a colored substance such that upon encountering the impact above the predetermined level, foam cells in the foamed material containing the colored substance burst, leaving a visual color indicator of the impact.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
A helmet, comprising: an outer shell: and an inner liner attached to an interior of the outer shell, wherein the inner liner comprises compressible material and includes a portion that will leave a visible indicator upon an impact to the helmet which exceeds a predetermined level, wherein the portion of the liner leaving a visual indicator is constructed of a foamed material, foamed with a colored substance such that upon encountering an impact above a predetermined level, foam cells in the foamed material containing the colored substance burst, leaving a visual color indicator of the impact and wherein the colored substance is a colored gas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
A helmet, comprising: an outer shell: and an inner liner attached to an interior of the outer shell, wherein the inner liner comprises compressible material and includes a portion that will leave a visible indicator upon an impact to the helmet which exceeds a predetermined level, wherein the portion of the liner leaving a visual indicator is constructed of a foamed material, foamed with a colored substance such that upon encountering an impact above a predetermined level, foam cells in the foamed material containing the colored substance burst, leaving a visual color indicator of the impact and wherein the colored substance is a colored gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5343569A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-23 | 2003-11-22 | 2004-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-23 | 2007-11-22 | 2008-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-23 | 2011-11-22 | 2012-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |